I'm looking for information on the birth parents of Donald MCLEAN, born @1846 in either Salford, Lancs (if you believe FamilySearch) or Glasgow, Scotland (if you believe the 1881 Scottish census). His mother was Agnes McDonald, dob unknown. On Donald's marriage to Mary Helen SCOTT in Govan (1870), his father is given as John MCLEAN (deceased), sailor, merchant service, but on Donald's 1903 death certificate it states he was illegitimate and the "reputed" father was Donald MCLEAN (deceased), marine engineer. Agnes had also died by 1903 and the death was registered by one of Donald's sons, Lauchlan.
I am absolutely stuck here, seem to have tried every combination of name, area and birth date in the Scottish records, so anyone out there with suggestions as to where to go next?
Many thanks.. good luck with your own searches!